tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20567415354225344902024-03-13T03:22:48.707-07:00anxiously hopefulanxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-14362188224584927792011-02-25T18:39:00.000-08:002011-02-26T06:33:36.514-08:00Girl Time<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>We've spent lots of time outside this past week. Cole and Levi have a new friend, Steven, that just moved in next door. Shurabe loves to help with raking and other yard work that is inevitable this time of year. And Hope loves to swing out on the back patio. She could spend hours out there, watching her siblings and barking at the neighborhood dogs.</div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvj620EPtzEU6CinAJqsw_HAe-OizFwDIUDDw861-wGbnLa8Ap1FxhX4FfNVgllmLTgl2CP-no8woVUGE_x048-lg5mM3vW_H0fBlEz1Qn08emm8lO4pSvPQNVAvzttRAdyvw9TvgpMI/s1600/IMG_3933.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvj620EPtzEU6CinAJqsw_HAe-OizFwDIUDDw861-wGbnLa8Ap1FxhX4FfNVgllmLTgl2CP-no8woVUGE_x048-lg5mM3vW_H0fBlEz1Qn08emm8lO4pSvPQNVAvzttRAdyvw9TvgpMI/s320/IMG_3933.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577823545703132034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Little Cutie-batootie</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9dbPcHqzCDbNiv3PqOWa50uMK0Kk1FYlUL7jCGDt0jE5CwSyTyq4-GxwX9BrKJWmo3KLrxhNmInrHMNtbFV7Ahq9ezTTX0DaP_rvbw3tAmoEdBPvz5tL0m3ELoptaOUJ8KZPltrmGrc/s1600/IMG_3930.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9dbPcHqzCDbNiv3PqOWa50uMK0Kk1FYlUL7jCGDt0jE5CwSyTyq4-GxwX9BrKJWmo3KLrxhNmInrHMNtbFV7Ahq9ezTTX0DaP_rvbw3tAmoEdBPvz5tL0m3ELoptaOUJ8KZPltrmGrc/s320/IMG_3930.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577823541175420242" /></a><div>I've had lots of fun in my sewing room (it's actually just out catch-all-computer-dining-room). I made some fun Valentine gifts for our kids' teachers. I didn't think to take pictures but they were knock offs of <a href="http://thepleatedpoppy.bigcartel.com/category/petal-pushers">these</a> <a href="http://shop.thepleatedpoppy.com/ruffledscarves">lovelies</a> made by Lindsey at the<a href="http://thepleatedpoppy.com/">Pleated Poppy</a>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Last Saturday, I had a youth group event early in the morning. When I got home, Brian told me to go look at the girls. This is what I found. Hope is sitting on the floor behind the armoire door wearing a tiara. They were listening to music on Shurabe's radio and dancing.</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBD_C9x4N7bm3Oeron99yYQtcfHuQDezomPJGgGby-L87hWgFcyXRiSbJEeGx9CyFsw8J0dO3PghXqBGCb1wVnbnfoY1Gxh666LKCi6jp0mS3p_UokmhEM8gZIV9ThsqYPRHjgv67puFs/s320/IMG_3942.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578005513329904978" /></div><div>Apparently, they had been in their room for atleast an hour playing dress-up together. It made this mommy's heart smile. That's what having a sister is supposed to be like!</div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-65339890143401642782011-02-12T13:42:00.000-08:002011-02-12T14:11:23.770-08:00Snowmageddon 2011<div><div style="text-align: center; ">We SURVIVED!!</div><div style="text-align: center; ">Two feet of snow and 2 full weeks of school canceled.</div></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqUDOXO4ISK61TR3jygwMNOFt2V_agS6aF1d-b0hAxKWvHQ1eeoJlTTmHsy_URF_jiGlcnHxHTGiQZDhfMrMzWx_-FUVQRW22GsCZv9c9b-n3lDUDStsdB1uFwf0D6beFN7jGKBXy01A/s320/IMG_3918.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572925644719555010" /><div style="text-align: center;">There were snow men to be built,</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMvWt53I20Ng7AY0d6q1od4aDVOvkZ_rDNEP-808BJDhWRUfkvqvuQtPWe1xUBbjGPdOvwcA1S6FiWduX6tMGpcKcqv9Jfg7GVtsvXruM10l1T3JmCSmewnq-JM6KkyzK4GRENUqAegc/s1600/IMG_3913.JPG"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMvWt53I20Ng7AY0d6q1od4aDVOvkZ_rDNEP-808BJDhWRUfkvqvuQtPWe1xUBbjGPdOvwcA1S6FiWduX6tMGpcKcqv9Jfg7GVtsvXruM10l1T3JmCSmewnq-JM6KkyzK4GRENUqAegc/s1600/IMG_3913.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMvWt53I20Ng7AY0d6q1od4aDVOvkZ_rDNEP-808BJDhWRUfkvqvuQtPWe1xUBbjGPdOvwcA1S6FiWduX6tMGpcKcqv9Jfg7GVtsvXruM10l1T3JmCSmewnq-JM6KkyzK4GRENUqAegc/s320/IMG_3913.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572925647671997330" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Lego cities to be created,</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim03x-lrZyDNBo6oVUXULYnkLJOsdLEG_slpUXWmNHbGF7BVK7wdg093a5Uy5IvwBZ78F9l27pTyy1U78SVPiXKThutmlnbbpgGgG3MLL-kXPfY59pRDqgediLuY1qtLmFcwzZQ75iLg0/s1600/IMG_3883.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim03x-lrZyDNBo6oVUXULYnkLJOsdLEG_slpUXWmNHbGF7BVK7wdg093a5Uy5IvwBZ78F9l27pTyy1U78SVPiXKThutmlnbbpgGgG3MLL-kXPfY59pRDqgediLuY1qtLmFcwzZQ75iLg0/s320/IMG_3883.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572925642115631282" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Snow to be shoveled,</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlFCvUtXqYAHEQmXJQpaETTyGG-lRwVdC5tp7EItWgllqQYrJOXV9fN88Br8b6Ai5KZH1S0DTs7aliJxhsRkJ9KtBditIslbK16Txs_MyqLJlPmWXEi4IS7vPlacHfhDoyLd6kBtsOBU/s1600/IMG_3886.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlFCvUtXqYAHEQmXJQpaETTyGG-lRwVdC5tp7EItWgllqQYrJOXV9fN88Br8b6Ai5KZH1S0DTs7aliJxhsRkJ9KtBditIslbK16Txs_MyqLJlPmWXEi4IS7vPlacHfhDoyLd6kBtsOBU/s320/IMG_3886.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572925638705760930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">and snow forts to be built.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh414zWU0QCKPbVJ27tjSqFDI4nbQOKliScRxVJ-Nyw2oC_CnrIQlBEdFCugyW5sBYlleEvZtBSHG6II82djbhWdgT74BGw_Mmms62n4jHpTic2n9bQNo9AjIdmmKzzJoqPgLwgNyTftKU/s1600/IMG_3907.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh414zWU0QCKPbVJ27tjSqFDI4nbQOKliScRxVJ-Nyw2oC_CnrIQlBEdFCugyW5sBYlleEvZtBSHG6II82djbhWdgT74BGw_Mmms62n4jHpTic2n9bQNo9AjIdmmKzzJoqPgLwgNyTftKU/s320/IMG_3907.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572923150321282786" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">There was laundry to be done,</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0COj9MdJVVD136ZU2sVIBeoy_X1yoqbFagLuWNUrCT-5iSKeg8Mk900O2f5DEVJIj9cQZnezT33ely2iNOWG8bqZqcIhelIhv9iSeqGgVLeHIjZt3sZKtr8X2b5OtKRBdBdVoFnlht8/s1600/IMG_3902.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0COj9MdJVVD136ZU2sVIBeoy_X1yoqbFagLuWNUrCT-5iSKeg8Mk900O2f5DEVJIj9cQZnezT33ely2iNOWG8bqZqcIhelIhv9iSeqGgVLeHIjZt3sZKtr8X2b5OtKRBdBdVoFnlht8/s320/IMG_3902.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572923147939082658" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">baby doll stroller rides to be had (tell me she doesn't look like a giant in that stroller),</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcjEwxSfAEI0h4IZHylVwlwaa7LF8pjFkFZVJI4HLRlM19w5IBjin_rJo9dCOjxjnqtUEWY0izZp277byhP1OcllsTW42qsEI_j8yq1MUllS8sid9HYTt8eUgQpTdz8aN3bB3K-8sN3s/s1600/IMG_3914.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcjEwxSfAEI0h4IZHylVwlwaa7LF8pjFkFZVJI4HLRlM19w5IBjin_rJo9dCOjxjnqtUEWY0izZp277byhP1OcllsTW42qsEI_j8yq1MUllS8sid9HYTt8eUgQpTdz8aN3bB3K-8sN3s/s320/IMG_3914.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572923144611571218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">heart-shaped <a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000001853981">biscuits</a> to be made and eaten (my 1st attempt at biscuits from scratch),</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PlPttZqr0TuEKnn_Y0rAqUz1VckA1-2zhTZogU8aWYc95Q7z3RFjoMSX4_wWSGWzGMLzTgnwaA7teRAjKhrRfwZ6rt9V5KMuLQ0Yv6CRNAtVQQc3xxAv-s_glrNUka3wY3nO9UyEslc/s1600/IMG_3904.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-PlPttZqr0TuEKnn_Y0rAqUz1VckA1-2zhTZogU8aWYc95Q7z3RFjoMSX4_wWSGWzGMLzTgnwaA7teRAjKhrRfwZ6rt9V5KMuLQ0Yv6CRNAtVQQc3xxAv-s_glrNUka3wY3nO9UyEslc/s320/IMG_3904.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572923132799955490" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">and <a href="http://www.supportlibrary.com/nl/users/susandemo/mweb/path14-19.html">cupcakes</a> to be made, decorated and eaten.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The sun is shining, the snow is melting and this mommy is breathing a sigh of relief!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-80523396809598677622010-12-20T20:38:00.000-08:002010-12-20T20:52:19.662-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWYzdVmPnzHHPtOCLUcOuyACJIpMJPlBPqBqOCBFKG0JgevPsq289RVIwkxMZrGLZhHw5c3nNL5jRWZ3boFsJSSeK3BbcAI-gzHLLt4kS7yCIk2u7FHyA9QV0S1ZFTlOzPdTnu6-vVcc/s1600/IMG_3525.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWYzdVmPnzHHPtOCLUcOuyACJIpMJPlBPqBqOCBFKG0JgevPsq289RVIwkxMZrGLZhHw5c3nNL5jRWZ3boFsJSSeK3BbcAI-gzHLLt4kS7yCIk2u7FHyA9QV0S1ZFTlOzPdTnu6-vVcc/s320/IMG_3525.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552991967591090802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KrDZylHlIaxAg2vpgNobE0irWZ6R7LAyWQXN8LCqK5r5sKhjFYqjAjWY9GRg_my_N6FecTM2t5E0vCAjnM_NXMo7ZOOwLsLZuCFB9M6rpjSwG8lU_NILuUxRHS7M9zvjCqYle0pmUss/s1600/IMG_3522.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KrDZylHlIaxAg2vpgNobE0irWZ6R7LAyWQXN8LCqK5r5sKhjFYqjAjWY9GRg_my_N6FecTM2t5E0vCAjnM_NXMo7ZOOwLsLZuCFB9M6rpjSwG8lU_NILuUxRHS7M9zvjCqYle0pmUss/s320/IMG_3522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552991348173229298" /></a><br />This weekend, all 3 of the men (big and small) were in the wedding of some friends, Chris and Jessica Wilson. Brian Officiated and the boys were both Ring Bearers. It was a beautiful wedding at Camp Loughridge and the reception, at Southern Hills Country Club, was like none I've ever experienced. The food was delicious and we all had so much fun dancing and visiting with friends we don't get to see often enough. It was fun to get all dressed up and figure out which fork was for salad and which was for dessert! The boys were both smitten with their own reflection! I warned them not to accept any marriage proposals...thankfully the warning wasn't necessary. However, Cole had several older ladies (50 and over) asking him to dance. He bashfully turned them down. While we were all out having a ball, Hope was at home with our new favorite baby sitter, being loved on and well taken care of! <div><br /></div><div>Tonight we celebrated Christmas with my parents and sister. Who knows, maybe I'll find the time to post about that tomorrow! </div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-66171359080284448002010-12-01T19:21:00.000-08:002010-12-01T20:08:29.141-08:00The Parties<div style="text-align: center;"><u><div style="text-align: center; display: inline !important; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We had the pleasure of celebrating Hope's birthday twice. First in Joplin with Brian's family over Thanksgiving weekend. Then at home with my dad whose birthday is the day after Hope's.</span></span></div></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><div style="text-align: center; "><blockquote><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"></span></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"></span></span></div></div></span></div></span></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkariOTb_WaYZ_ywmy948dUFKWI160omNd6zlJAXOs0K1BHC5V1K_f87ujfs51wXl4LmBgDBkHkXSh4y992rYYUHoP4ntrZxVvEDFQQ2jCykxXqvE8O83ledBha8CqTK4t_TpRXu-dQgo/s320/IMG_3407.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545931395865332322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bitomB8SX0s_xPJlOlHoXMn7c06Vq5DYzxYMc8LxdRlYtRxO-d3sYTXaWib2uaEM98uwclPt_dj-Wo-D3zqdXWPASWyKyNbgSS2g9Y7qpGOX8KlYuEjsuWRxby-A5w0_s6glShXBR1g/s320/IMG_3415.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545921916417226242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3miPJH_Yx_7qAWEUnjnBllXYLCX224wQ6ml-EQU9mSq7YQ-l4bLlVrY-NK5Sd919BqznD6v-7PkX_q_FnY3ab7yaZhZ1TX_Q_cw8yjUi9orXj4vEIleXXaXYTUGE2fXPzXhjszgDDkc/s1600/IMG_3452.jpg"></a></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3miPJH_Yx_7qAWEUnjnBllXYLCX224wQ6ml-EQU9mSq7YQ-l4bLlVrY-NK5Sd919BqznD6v-7PkX_q_FnY3ab7yaZhZ1TX_Q_cw8yjUi9orXj4vEIleXXaXYTUGE2fXPzXhjszgDDkc/s1600/IMG_3452.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3miPJH_Yx_7qAWEUnjnBllXYLCX224wQ6ml-EQU9mSq7YQ-l4bLlVrY-NK5Sd919BqznD6v-7PkX_q_FnY3ab7yaZhZ1TX_Q_cw8yjUi9orXj4vEIleXXaXYTUGE2fXPzXhjszgDDkc/s1600/IMG_3452.jpg"></a></span></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Angel Food Cake with Chocolate Whipped Cream in Joplin.</span></span></u></div><div><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3miPJH_Yx_7qAWEUnjnBllXYLCX224wQ6ml-EQU9mSq7YQ-l4bLlVrY-NK5Sd919BqznD6v-7PkX_q_FnY3ab7yaZhZ1TX_Q_cw8yjUi9orXj4vEIleXXaXYTUGE2fXPzXhjszgDDkc/s320/IMG_3452.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545921922684229394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A little photo shoot before the party at home.</span></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0err1WHzHgF4CZRFH0jYs390zbevVYriTCUGzN6Ko8wQ1puWO3ogfz8EgPVDNcsm84EP3I75oXpsYtVgrXp9IjAoxsxgBegJCmYfhfHKKkgr0Cl1mf-a4l_gW4Y4amX3PxWhvQpbGQT0/s1600/IMG_3480.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0err1WHzHgF4CZRFH0jYs390zbevVYriTCUGzN6Ko8wQ1puWO3ogfz8EgPVDNcsm84EP3I75oXpsYtVgrXp9IjAoxsxgBegJCmYfhfHKKkgr0Cl1mf-a4l_gW4Y4amX3PxWhvQpbGQT0/s320/IMG_3480.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545927635486423106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Just a little icing.</span></span></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGqkd8is4H2JUXiNcsq_ti08_6t_sLW-H3s4qYj4xnzqYgFdXiEvcPIRqE_CPls9eZE65Lpil7vz8yoIDEAWGMvBuaWd5o1EIySzfSa6zCo02lc-_LyJlqP1qSN-Qbc4ddhaXizLiSgQ/s320/IMG_3489.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545923093182840402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Maybe I'll just lick the top instead of using my fingers.</span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXG20O9s6aFGqB_l1SezstlyJJfrN9dZ8hyR7XmV6QCF0_GHBJFvWflKx2yiv_RbhZ82H7YSwDuvwqh02n7yF5VFOhBY3FgrVlOcmMD1WxAEFpqkxUoxMCqevh848SZSu5a-91FzXnhAE/s1600/IMG_3492.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXG20O9s6aFGqB_l1SezstlyJJfrN9dZ8hyR7XmV6QCF0_GHBJFvWflKx2yiv_RbhZ82H7YSwDuvwqh02n7yF5VFOhBY3FgrVlOcmMD1WxAEFpqkxUoxMCqevh848SZSu5a-91FzXnhAE/s320/IMG_3492.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545923098412378066" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm starting to feel sick.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKlcKbGskkBaKGJHotH3GsDmr5DNHvTppvbDAyETKuBMcuhJFFYeIyC9yudFyleW5zOhTQtiIlpmbW5iFQTCfdNbijDargNKtiBNuWu3t2k4u134oRtKc4Um7XRbZOZuDFifPDCPcdRU/s320/IMG_3496.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545923114641093202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Uh Oh, I got a little bit of cupcake on the table.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">BATH TIME.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-16587796568039237052010-11-30T19:30:00.001-08:002010-12-01T14:50:32.979-08:00We're back...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDiXfoYaxs58K_doXeS6Rm0Mc_q0DjjtGMjAv312MtgZWSVrPWI-iWXn8e83thSGc-kpfPnuPBtKdhYFGUtCeM4RUKW4_0gj6oCjn8RsGj9v6Sifm8nZ9VlV_5fzgSqPoIU5RZLTTg1U/s320/IMG_1654.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545564803047343938" /><div style="text-align: center;">A year ago today, our little Hope graced us with her presence.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eDE-_NuuyMRYE1Ccvv2qnBEMWmOct3UapBuf-q26oy2IeOCH21xDid5NOmZhmWfbUvyGwKnWO3Y1B4Ro3KGRocDlF22MgLQZ2xvlyQp0bpirBfvyoLYY2uARt8dFtETvnd_tQEH_Jxc/s320/IMG_3348.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545564808903274130" /><div style="text-align: center;">And now she's already ONE! </div></div><div style="text-align: center;">We love you sweet angel.</div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-60594872036733752532010-09-29T14:30:00.000-07:002010-10-05T19:05:50.214-07:00Dear Santa<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Last week while Hope was taking a "mommy-I-don't -feel-good-marathon-nap" I was catching up in blog land. I stumbled upon this <a href="http://liferearranged.com/2010/09/meet-my-new-boyfriend-sid/">post</a>. Let me first tell you that I loath mopping! It's become a well know fact in our hope that shortly after mom mops, someone in going to spill something very sticky. For those of you not interested in reading the above post -which you should because it's funny and much more well written than mine-it's all about the love between a woman and her robot vacuum cleaner. Which brings me to my mention of Santa in the title of this post. I want Santa to bring me <a href="http://store.irobot.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2935847&cp=2804605.2174932&ab=CMS_IRBT_Storefront_062209_iwantscooba&s=A-UnitRank-IRBT&parentPage=family">this</a> for Christmas. I can just imagine all the extra time I'll have to read books to the kids, ask my hubby about his day and knit hats for the homeless...maybe I'm exaggerating a little. But it sure would be nice to wake up each morning to a freshly mopped kitchen!<img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5pYvfKp0mpdodCvYoVsZjPQyoKSHSicBCQGV84DgD5vALdqYtxzegCZiB9zo-dL3JhqSLqIfjgWNZ6pd3vQEIUUUi-VKDPAxkxFrIKLo8uRUfecg0GDhgAC3yVVD1NKZHQ8yTLFJsVY/s320/IMG_3063.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524747942591263666" /><div style="text-align: center;">My little mess-makers at the Tulsa Zoo.</div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-48203319561012511082010-08-21T19:26:00.000-07:002010-08-21T20:18:54.958-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">August means...</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCgt_mFKfGnp25EdmeoTn2V9I5f6Qt0ATgmUPdooJ41Ep9NTMOZgLnFmBF4iga6sD4WWjygevBYhRM68XSCzP0uTWX_fBN_NmBl2vzgMOj0JlNCu7_uAMJ5PVLF-cIchcs90E8_xDyUmY/s320/IMG_2812.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508059292025554050" /><div style="text-align: center;">My Birthday!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cole made me this awesome Birthday card out of Legos. It says "MOM" if you can't tell.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Tyt3p8dHj5mrN9DfvHxgC82jNRGtsKzhlDeUkVXzsXksbamI_UU9ljS78yASzMFmZQp0MLt_c6_nqMZWNWFn-Tck87wNLzuTxLEHyvlQwXwHpXWwT-qCfqFUFDxh8sR5IwmeaTXPb5M/s320/IMG_2800.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508059279393132850" /><div style="text-align: center;">A visit to the QT Park and the Aquarium with Brian's cousin, Lisa, and her family. Our kids had so much fun with Connor, Trevor and Aubrey. That evening we got a a couple of babysitters for the 7 kids and went to the showing of <a href="http://jeffiewashere.com/">Jeffie Was Here</a> at the Tulsa United Film Festival. That was a first for Brian and me. Lots of fun and great people watching!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSF7RQKfKL8ZSUy096ROc4jsqLJxCdqhC21I9v6mNkHU7psuCeenocHY3V2ON74lKPN5mZohaDFh708a3PjePUrsX5BW6vyVu5dQGGJE5l9qPYZK0e-xRCwjcsaMs6BPVdD3dBzCObkA/s320/IMG_2867.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508059301270090354" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This Friday, we all went up to Hoover Elementary to meet the kids teachers. It was so much fun to walk the halls and finally know people. When we got back to the house, Shurabe tripped while climbing out of the van. She is now the recipient of 4 stitches. She did so well...lots of screaming and crying but she laid very still while they were doing the stitches. At one point, she screamed, "I'm so hungry!" After leaving the Urgent Care we went straight to Panda Express and got that girl some Orange Chicken!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-62650831928947449412010-07-05T19:02:00.000-07:002010-07-05T19:27:42.677-07:00Happy 4th<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONLcMxWAPEvdrzMvZWwRV00b2Sp4kfRZ36j72_MCDRdmeVHK5bSmZRDlo9-fT_I53nLriyJ9VldCtaB5JzyQKfDkwThM-9faHMLT71PrrDJxS4J0S-CzmhVlz9r1e0sEnvwop6WsTmIg/s1600/IMG_2731.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONLcMxWAPEvdrzMvZWwRV00b2Sp4kfRZ36j72_MCDRdmeVHK5bSmZRDlo9-fT_I53nLriyJ9VldCtaB5JzyQKfDkwThM-9faHMLT71PrrDJxS4J0S-CzmhVlz9r1e0sEnvwop6WsTmIg/s320/IMG_2731.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490610265487642802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWIGjoaLclBZuGmYVJU1qtIlJKTSwGOlD7L3Iym295lh1cRD-WqAMinRSmn9tGOEfCqLAxpkQemIhf-NFdvxF84VLfUrtDP_BUn3SaDyEI3ueW8eN1IyzsqicKlxg0HgK0s-hvCfsKpo/s1600/IMG_2728.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWIGjoaLclBZuGmYVJU1qtIlJKTSwGOlD7L3Iym295lh1cRD-WqAMinRSmn9tGOEfCqLAxpkQemIhf-NFdvxF84VLfUrtDP_BUn3SaDyEI3ueW8eN1IyzsqicKlxg0HgK0s-hvCfsKpo/s320/IMG_2728.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490610258356087778" /></a><br />This was Shurabe and Hope's first 4th of July. It was almost a year ago that we traveled to Ethiopia to get our little girl. Shurabe is so excited about America. She points out every "America flag" she sees as we drive around town. On Saturday we got out her American flag dress to iron in preparation for Sunday. She knew that Hope was wearing her "America dress" too so she asked if I had America clothes to wear too. I told her I didn't but I thought Nana might. She immediately called Nana and asked her about her America clothes (I had to do a little interpreting before Nana figured out what she was talking about). <div><br /></div><div>Hope had no idea what the 4th of July was all about but she sure did look cute! </div><div><br /></div><div>Cole and Levi were really excited because we got to go out to "Uncle" John Burgett's ranch. They got to shoot the potato gun, ride in a boat, ride a 4-wheeler and do a little fishing! What a day!</div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-8313299117062405352010-06-01T20:10:00.000-07:002010-06-01T20:42:00.135-07:00Yum, Yuck and Yeah!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsx_UImbPzyon5eiPU99Wvr2kmX4Ke57ki9CqzYY2Zq3P-PMxXvOzlv0KuVzdLoA0DuDf793E84GpnOcOF3X_YaWEBW3IxiRKjjgNBNlAtPUZ2Wxej3RxXIk_kNISt2BQttb5YbJL5dp8/s1600/IMG_2414.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><br /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuW_w_NZOq1hbDQQ_vPyaoJgm9bKFILa9F-_I9LaSWEo9FlPN2gsFdNMsh8zf-HzGUM4nMtXz6hsjXpIumb9YTxE0f1GTuEgklKg-QxSAF1ANVEouT-dg9eDY88w4-u5R0XxtMfyScNo/s1600/IMG_2386.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuW_w_NZOq1hbDQQ_vPyaoJgm9bKFILa9F-_I9LaSWEo9FlPN2gsFdNMsh8zf-HzGUM4nMtXz6hsjXpIumb9YTxE0f1GTuEgklKg-QxSAF1ANVEouT-dg9eDY88w4-u5R0XxtMfyScNo/s320/IMG_2386.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478011003819807650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A few weeks ago, I was busy in the kitchen and was summoned to the living room. Shurabe said, "You have to take a picture of this. It's too cute!" (all with her sweet little african accent) She was right, so I hurried to get the camera before the cute moment passed.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Our sweet Hopey (as we affectionately call her) turned 6 months old on Sunday. I find myself enjoying her more than I ever thought possible. The knowledge that she will be my last baby is a big encouragement to savor every moment. The whole family was excited to watch her experience her first bites of rice cereal (except Cole... I'm not sure where he was but later that evening he was shocked to hear that Hope had eaten cereal). She really liked it and even succeeded at grabbing the spoon a time or two.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRik6IWNjdsl-BBEYagaCuWfQO2caTTekdRFN5ZESCapUJJyfnVVUj4IAAeOD7g9olDjVIoyehimaPd7GQhI9i0KahYhALD0hqQwiec619sxMmVUWPFYKpoyuQTfEbXE12iyTcbeUDwc/s1600/IMG_2403.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRik6IWNjdsl-BBEYagaCuWfQO2caTTekdRFN5ZESCapUJJyfnVVUj4IAAeOD7g9olDjVIoyehimaPd7GQhI9i0KahYhALD0hqQwiec619sxMmVUWPFYKpoyuQTfEbXE12iyTcbeUDwc/s320/IMG_2403.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478010991278213858" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Cole was the celebrity at out house yesterday! Levi's sign says it best... "Cole haves his therd tooth out!" (interpretation : Cole has his 3rd tooth out) It was a really big deal because this is the first tooth for him to lose on his own (the first two were pulled by the dentist).</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BbUOXN_MOrkyrj4F0La7evyIEXxH0oR5wympUcnYsiz1ScTsRKiooESoB9JNsPV5P-zs69YP9a17guVSV5qy1NxfFQpV1orQFhwx6aTs10wSON-aEWnFVEnJwBd6f_drRG1yud419Z4/s1600/IMG_2427.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BbUOXN_MOrkyrj4F0La7evyIEXxH0oR5wympUcnYsiz1ScTsRKiooESoB9JNsPV5P-zs69YP9a17guVSV5qy1NxfFQpV1orQFhwx6aTs10wSON-aEWnFVEnJwBd6f_drRG1yud419Z4/s320/IMG_2427.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478010983405494610" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Late Sunday night (long after he should have been asleep) Cole came running into the living room to show us that his tooth was pointing forward at a 45 degree angle. Brian's brother and his family came down from Springfield for Memorial Day. We had a great time at the QT park and The Riverwalk. Every time I looked at Cole, he had his loose tooth sticking out over his lower lip. (see picture below)</div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-7XQVz_6PIB1JsG7gd72BP0Qbx2_NQSyF83vtxbN4x5ZyXEGCZ7ddN64HKmZ7L-a6-ukuMj8yIi8GAVJzxXGYaYrd8T82qbkUAkSN7Dvkx5Rg32ooNSnu_-Ru_kdmq-v3DC8XROM5DI/s320/IMG_2407.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478014377473930050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsx_UImbPzyon5eiPU99Wvr2kmX4Ke57ki9CqzYY2Zq3P-PMxXvOzlv0KuVzdLoA0DuDf793E84GpnOcOF3X_YaWEBW3IxiRKjjgNBNlAtPUZ2Wxej3RxXIk_kNISt2BQttb5YbJL5dp8/s320/IMG_2414.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478014369703879266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Nana and Papa came over for dinner that evening and Nana had the tooth out before the enchiladas were out of the oven. I'd been telling Cole all day that his Nana was famous for her tooth-pulling skills. She didn't disappoint!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrE77jY_Y1MSUrtJWYrqyy0_GOtq3iv_rvuc0ATImabd5ztvItQBXWED_y6h5GfVgTK6uCWR8Kg6ZYxcYBB6sP0KA_mEiPOWKphrRtFmJlR4cfLWNvq7JBqEBMeTgjO5qJvSuRBONtsA/s1600/IMG_2417.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvrE77jY_Y1MSUrtJWYrqyy0_GOtq3iv_rvuc0ATImabd5ztvItQBXWED_y6h5GfVgTK6uCWR8Kg6ZYxcYBB6sP0KA_mEiPOWKphrRtFmJlR4cfLWNvq7JBqEBMeTgjO5qJvSuRBONtsA/s320/IMG_2417.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478010976483442850" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Tomorrow is the boys' last day of school. Yippee!! Get ready for some swimming pictures!</div><br /></div></div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-50276917985310486882010-05-10T16:59:00.000-07:002010-05-10T19:08:14.234-07:00May Days<div style="text-align: center;">May has brought with it lots of fun and firsts.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Levi (third from the right) is on his first t-ball team. Brian is the coach. Their team is pretty talented if I might say so myself! Levi has made some fantastic plays at 1st base. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwfurfN15ETuXeXEjKWMH82yJjhNNY3eprUb7Nsx-7C8_uIA1gJhGd_u21wc_eL19lNguYhNHzrMqp2dXYjNHKvsyey8iruvgA8g99OdiYSd7cu6pL7fhcCmR6PO8rLo522lybAUwnmc/s1600/IMG_2215.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwfurfN15ETuXeXEjKWMH82yJjhNNY3eprUb7Nsx-7C8_uIA1gJhGd_u21wc_eL19lNguYhNHzrMqp2dXYjNHKvsyey8iruvgA8g99OdiYSd7cu6pL7fhcCmR6PO8rLo522lybAUwnmc/s320/IMG_2215.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469797965900112226" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Brian and Cole (along with Grandpa Steve) participated in the Tour de Tulsa family ride. They rode along Riverside, so Levi, Shurabe, Hope and I cheered them on at Quik Trip park on 41st and then met them at the finish line. I must admit, I was a little teary eyed and proud of my son. Cole completed the 13 miles at the head of the pack, grinning from ear to ear. I think this might be the beginning of a life-long hobby for him. I'm anxious for when the whole family can go on rides together. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUI2oyN-4Nd8sfELzqIVQPg6gMEwqeUX1dE-m50ibgCEsL3IWILZlcDC556vweqOxSQtXbXLynqc3JBwgPpmlc0kzqRETK_NGoRvEdPUJKD-gv2V3xREQlsoHnRN1DULoJUzwTB76OHU/s1600/IMG_2228.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUI2oyN-4Nd8sfELzqIVQPg6gMEwqeUX1dE-m50ibgCEsL3IWILZlcDC556vweqOxSQtXbXLynqc3JBwgPpmlc0kzqRETK_NGoRvEdPUJKD-gv2V3xREQlsoHnRN1DULoJUzwTB76OHU/s320/IMG_2228.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469797958571148322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbET5xciaw_xuqvYgu43BVHUvYPozB7UP_SzFQaS_jSnR3PMY7dJ-XmABlRboHkq_tPOfzKtrxEiCwsbgjDeB-g9RvfTTa5k98w58a_WVp_qt4ZsEUazoTxCky8O7vbECTh8HRUu6Dtr4/s1600/IMG_2234.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 293px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbET5xciaw_xuqvYgu43BVHUvYPozB7UP_SzFQaS_jSnR3PMY7dJ-XmABlRboHkq_tPOfzKtrxEiCwsbgjDeB-g9RvfTTa5k98w58a_WVp_qt4ZsEUazoTxCky8O7vbECTh8HRUu6Dtr4/s320/IMG_2234.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469797950795496210" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Shurabe is progressing in leaps and bounds. She is learning lots of American phrases and becoming the girliest of girls. She loves all things princess and wants to take ballet classes in the fall (actually she wants to start them "yesterday" but classes don't start until fall). People often ask how she is adjusting and I typically have tons of positive things to say. Today I spent quite a bit of time trying to comfort her through the challenges of being the only girl in her class with kinky african hair. She is beautiful and exotic but wants to be like everyone else. I'm not so sure this is an adoption issue as much as it is a "girl" issue. We spent three hours straightening her hair because "everybody in my class always says my hair is crazy everyday." (all said with tears streaming down her face) The results of our straightening session were less than acceptable but she loved it. Unfortunately, it is stormy and incredibly humid today so the straight hair only lasted a few hours. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is a picture of my pretty girls (curly hair and all).</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5Fofw5aPf060dWqy1wzCMu7utH52RHVaIKuWeoQ3unqBWYBA34rKgOs5fWLXLWzkajDLBnMmRT3QsjjiazNVzomqlr8yc-FQAqPhisZnhzj09aX-1-_b-J-6F95EVdMDb7NReLI6n5I/s1600/IMG_2206.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5Fofw5aPf060dWqy1wzCMu7utH52RHVaIKuWeoQ3unqBWYBA34rKgOs5fWLXLWzkajDLBnMmRT3QsjjiazNVzomqlr8yc-FQAqPhisZnhzj09aX-1-_b-J-6F95EVdMDb7NReLI6n5I/s320/IMG_2206.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469797944625016594" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Hope is growing in leaps and bounds (and rolls). I can't believe how big she is getting. She found her toes last night and I can tell she is just trying to figure out how to get them into her mouth. She is also becoming quite the talker. She babbles and coos and giggles, bringing so much joy to the whole family. We are so happy to have her in our lives. God sure does know how to give GOOD surprises! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Other firsts: Hope and Shurabe's first Mother's Day</div><div style="text-align: center;">Shurabe's first Tornado Season (she was full of "what if" questions this evening)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cole's first loose tooth (hopefully he'll lose it before the May is over)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I am a very blessed mommy.</div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-4859752423947416542010-04-04T19:34:00.000-07:002010-04-04T20:50:35.665-07:00Easter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WAnXCTk-rwJCCDrCibSNkVWZicRfmwQ2spW4klP5YkOQDg2ozip6oVi1yE_MQm3aRTZWJJB-XK3-a1y1IkIsMRN4PKzVEsqbrNAbVYHJIw32yMAsUydaOkBI8fUVxPgbOEKh5nKfa0k/s1600/IMG_2186.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WAnXCTk-rwJCCDrCibSNkVWZicRfmwQ2spW4klP5YkOQDg2ozip6oVi1yE_MQm3aRTZWJJB-XK3-a1y1IkIsMRN4PKzVEsqbrNAbVYHJIw32yMAsUydaOkBI8fUVxPgbOEKh5nKfa0k/s320/IMG_2186.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456493145687839138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EaVHkrGiH4ZSuLrwXQrwXL-vYFmyfeGNkBwpXNL8Goln9O6AFBQnkRfaP8wU7sBPZnsjHaefASoJ_9ZFd0FWjeVYz6sdD6mRpn_TX1rUYLf30yHAb42SpDnZ-qJVrx4fx55qyFTtaN4/s1600/IMG_2161.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EaVHkrGiH4ZSuLrwXQrwXL-vYFmyfeGNkBwpXNL8Goln9O6AFBQnkRfaP8wU7sBPZnsjHaefASoJ_9ZFd0FWjeVYz6sdD6mRpn_TX1rUYLf30yHAb42SpDnZ-qJVrx4fx55qyFTtaN4/s320/IMG_2161.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456493138878715458" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-okrbpm7WFwYYrs-mG_MSBlovx-HD1hkpepsiODAuMO1k0pj0ygB2XsxqmNW1_hyphenhyphenSOfb-zQsD3yzCEDNjN9WBJlxB2SSH_CO5gEjPRNIs_SI4bJ7lRW91Nfxn8nGfYCUHAvdmMXdJK0/s1600/IMG_2168.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-okrbpm7WFwYYrs-mG_MSBlovx-HD1hkpepsiODAuMO1k0pj0ygB2XsxqmNW1_hyphenhyphenSOfb-zQsD3yzCEDNjN9WBJlxB2SSH_CO5gEjPRNIs_SI4bJ7lRW91Nfxn8nGfYCUHAvdmMXdJK0/s320/IMG_2168.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456493114863646354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPp8R-FjY45FGsGz4z_eC4WvEkhNK47ov2CQ2_TBglP9bZDysCzxIrJIrbRLdXQbuCUcxKjToZbAPDp5MLTuzD0En06bH4ktpu5zJwlBZb7M6QcGhGkNDy9Z9dDkocKoFCK0vFhWRckg/s1600/IMG_2165.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPp8R-FjY45FGsGz4z_eC4WvEkhNK47ov2CQ2_TBglP9bZDysCzxIrJIrbRLdXQbuCUcxKjToZbAPDp5MLTuzD0En06bH4ktpu5zJwlBZb7M6QcGhGkNDy9Z9dDkocKoFCK0vFhWRckg/s320/IMG_2165.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456493104658870178" /></a><br />This was an especially great Easter at our house because it was Shurabe and Hope's first. It has been so much fun explaining the meaning of Easter to Shurabe. A couple of times she has asked me, "Mommy, Jesus coming?" I wish I had that kind of anticipation. It has been good for me to remind myself and tell her, "Maybe! Nobody knows when he is coming back." <div><br /></div><div>Cole was really excited this morning to make it a meaningful day for his siblings. He made a special sign after breakfast and wanted to hang it up for everybody to see all day. Then he spent the rest of the morning formulating a plan to make special gifts for Shurabe and Levi (a baseball poster and a ballerina poster).</div><div><br /></div><div>Poor little Levi did his best to enjoy the day despite his raging allergies. Bless his heart, his eyes were almost swollen shut when he woke up this morning. We hunted eggs in Nana and Papa's living room instead of outside to keep him out of the wind and pollen. </div><div><br /></div><div>On a lighter note, I got to sew two little Easter dresses (one much smaller than the other). I've been eyeing this fabric for a couple of weeks and it went on sale just in time for me to whip up these sweet little dresses. Shurabe's entailed a little more work than I anticipated... petticoat and all. But I am happy with how they turned out and the girls liked them too! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-91621052000545225182010-03-09T16:18:00.000-08:002010-03-09T17:37:29.582-08:00Growing like a weedThe months are flying by faster than I can believe. Shurabe has been with us for almost 7 months. She is growing so fast that she's already outgrown 3 shoe sizes since we brought her home. Her hair is growing and she is starting to be excited about it being LONG. There is nothing that makes a little girl feel more beautiful than long hair! <br /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446807474457987042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqe67cjlQlBOUf2IQC4N6Du2kp3GqxVnJH3ZdiP7cPPIOBS-PqQusdEEIE4v49mOSo-mYyTIejrWg_vHl4JFCb_fjoNO7cg_HgDDNrgpfvjeV8PA4ut9QTVj0oJLLeqPgJGmGzQGDBqM/s320/IMG_1894.JPG" />Here she and her grandpa, Steve, are having a little nap together. She barely fits on our laps any more. But I am sure that we will always figure out a way to make it work. <br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446807470175107746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPYXeeFN4p1N8y1BsVhonKlG96HCBYhVG_nTX1dJ-7JW7bpJKtiFAgAf5vfwJmleik84gRoByrULAh1YRyUDXIxyCFjb1weathmI1xciPjbqLDzMQZpS8IZ0pjnYUncNHxv7FRLXc98o/s320/IMG_2051.JPG" />Hope is 3 months old and such a sweet baby girl. We love to make her smile but her pouty face is pretty adorable too. We keep trying to get a picture of it but the camera always distracts her.<br /><div><div>She has recently found her thumb and fell asleep sucking it for the first time last night. Brian and I were busy putting the big kids to bed and when we walked into the living room, there she was sound asleep in the middle of the floor, sucking her thumb. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446807461197971986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJGmQq_tmmzelMp6TnG_48egabjjL-1pHUaQSkTXRwe13LmQkMAeT12GvZfeXlx_mQDLEQgSkTY-RcOqfyI8z9m6htRt_mBPQCjny8nTB-x27Ucp3MCf8mhcHiEoclILSuhdDyosAY8c/s320/IMG_2050.JPG" />Here she is enjoying a spring-like day this week. We put her in her bouncy seat in the garage and let her watch the big kids ride their bikes. She had lots of fun cooing and blowing spit bubbles.<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-79643206517051274812010-01-29T17:38:00.000-08:002010-01-29T19:47:27.230-08:00Happy Birthday Hubby<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwsk0xMNY4YtsDzRet95sPc7DSc66g7CPEf7tbk0qaOFiEIHgnoABC_e0lhsotUeAyaCd9ltxFYAoBqsrnIxiBJP4eWH9m2HUFieBD2BGNwia8BDkBT3XhqIijpQw3rNb4G0s6KiK08k/s1600-h/IMG_1906.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432342991397561282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwsk0xMNY4YtsDzRet95sPc7DSc66g7CPEf7tbk0qaOFiEIHgnoABC_e0lhsotUeAyaCd9ltxFYAoBqsrnIxiBJP4eWH9m2HUFieBD2BGNwia8BDkBT3XhqIijpQw3rNb4G0s6KiK08k/s320/IMG_1906.JPG" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Does he look 35 years old to you? We got to spend all day with the Birthday boy due to the snow and ice outside. Brian took the 3 older kids out to play and shovel snow for a couple of hours while...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nmqaTx7J7YPzJqIZexqZDynb4i7Z-m_xqrpgyJRA8I6ScSnKTxBV4dux6jzhlawOilT_o5FYOciJMAhfluzK2Yg4ySPr3Ut7DviUEX7v6d9pmgqH0foBORX3yTm8ZjqS3XWavhzjJlk/s1600-h/IMG_1905.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432342984802490850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nmqaTx7J7YPzJqIZexqZDynb4i7Z-m_xqrpgyJRA8I6ScSnKTxBV4dux6jzhlawOilT_o5FYOciJMAhfluzK2Yg4ySPr3Ut7DviUEX7v6d9pmgqH0foBORX3yTm8ZjqS3XWavhzjJlk/s320/IMG_1905.JPG" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Hope sat and watched the fire in the fireplace...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAr0nfQLFr8pfI6dlCljxSR4SW3_q-cqrMgIlbiNI6dCxy36d2Eju_guznIJQXuaaNI55HZ8QAe0zLhIlif1wvvGjRqgf5Kwuhdob8iU6dzCOHlZXJ1nM5-F7eWLlocy89aGlo9dzDPg/s1600-h/IMG_1904.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432342975768457362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAr0nfQLFr8pfI6dlCljxSR4SW3_q-cqrMgIlbiNI6dCxy36d2Eju_guznIJQXuaaNI55HZ8QAe0zLhIlif1wvvGjRqgf5Kwuhdob8iU6dzCOHlZXJ1nM5-F7eWLlocy89aGlo9dzDPg/s320/IMG_1904.JPG" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I made one of Brian's favorite dishes - Beef Taco Bake (yikes, my oven is dirty) ...</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432342973012211074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVn9tfDFOxWIe156tUpyrn-OCgvuLcdh-FNbD8FOSU0Sr_ComdSSBWaptjeTXxj4mOAhFTBpq-GfFmSWbGJb_fr_f7fSKiOj7NJO2h3IeRy3zpSfOyFWX_zRKydLI6tbEFDGkc2W0kkU/s320/IMG_1899.JPG" /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">and watched out the window in awe of the beautiful blanket of fresh white snow and sparkling branches covered in ice.</div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3uXFBWQo6TLWK1aKrR43CykXY1qgGR_c7fs02oIg2VWEwW7vvp5ejhDsAk9_JWrUdINvY3n9UIjKaUUiLyobK4ksC4bbolItWm8PWUroTmneFUDgeukmekY_Rx9MisUUUi-0XJIQOLQ/s1600-h/IMG_1900.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432342962305985490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3uXFBWQo6TLWK1aKrR43CykXY1qgGR_c7fs02oIg2VWEwW7vvp5ejhDsAk9_JWrUdINvY3n9UIjKaUUiLyobK4ksC4bbolItWm8PWUroTmneFUDgeukmekY_Rx9MisUUUi-0XJIQOLQ/s320/IMG_1900.JPG" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Later, the kids all made Birthday cards for their daddy and we enjoyed dinner with my mom and Cassie.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">***************</div><div style="text-align: center;">Topic change...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Brian has declared this to be my best week of cooking ever. A couple of nights ago, I made some pancakes to have on hand for the kids' breakfasts. They were just from a boxed all purpose baking mix. Brian grabbed one off the counter and ate it with his hands (no syrup or anything) and said they were "Awesome - best pancakes he's ever had, etc.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Last night I made wild Rice and Ham Chowder and had my parents over to eat with us. This is going to be a new favorite at our house. I am really excited to have a dish that EVERYONE liked! I wanted to post a link to the recipe but I can't remember which blog I found it on. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I just remembered, last week I found a really good recipe for <a href="http://www.themeadowbrookblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/firehouse-chicken-enchiladas.html">Enchiladas</a> on another blog. They were delicious! </div>I also made some <a href="http://houseofmoss.blogspot.com/2009/10/pumpkin-muffins.html">pumpkin muffin</a>s (recipe courtesy of my friend Kelli) in anticipation of a power outage. I figured they would be a good stand-by breakfast or snack if we were left in the dark! I've made them before but once again, Brian couldn't stop talking about how good they are.<br /><br />You may be catching on by now that I'm not all that good in the kitchen. Thankfully, these few successful attempts are enough to distract Brian from the less than exciting menus I usually prepare. I'm a lucky lady (for many reasons)!<br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-76677489164770296152010-01-11T15:22:00.000-08:002010-01-11T17:00:40.157-08:00One month oldIt's never too early to start looking for a godly spouse. So Ledger Moss and Hope put their heads together and gazed into their futrure together. What a cute couple!<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425643073329594994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FTRb5cyhia6vp44TyLK7prQ_7W0bBubLRfkHLBXBZcm-rbhuWCc3aqTYIHpeWKqxFc9c-4rRPBr1Ir1MqhDZv8TO0R2JWBeVsEl_BVP6wKAVeJCuypcK1BcihyphenhyphenxY_Pr2NRnyNe2efQc/s320/IMG_1863.JPG" /> Hope is now a normal part of our everyday life. We no longer find ourselves forgetting that we have her when she sleeps quietly in the corner. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425628028582025522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQesCumWgAD1z4kZZFeszg-uZTiYHmAHYw7kuA_L8XhGfeiv1TcO1MdQ3Y4uoE3rypeSpLL870QB9SKq-B4iZVHPb4NvOx7gomJfGlG883sa2oxQuZq4Rnw8_JIR0o0uoffkLAbfyZAh4/s320/IMG_1851.JPG" /> <div><div><div>While her older siblings still adore her, I no longer find myself refereeing who gets to hold her next (unless her namesake - Aunt Elizabeth - is in town. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425628034168340834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJ6XffDjfpXH5QEkd9kfokwyuOR03cQyI7wDQXsKvSZsi9cnDbwtccpmARf2qcygWGVTNizX0XwryrPPdKKMOuIo2YkRCu-KGyjdJwT1Lo0PDXagEAnkjsqJM368a0hc03gvOkGJT-6Y/s320/IMG_1825.JPG" /></div></div></div></div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-70076120841169217682009-12-06T18:44:00.000-08:002009-12-06T19:03:53.442-08:00One week later...<div style="text-align: center;">One week ago today Brian and I were preparing our home and family for the arrival of the new baby. I was waddling around counting the hours until I would no longer be pregnant. Brian's parents were in town, ready to meet their new granddaughter and take care of the other 3 kiddos.</div><div style="text-align: center;">November 30th has come and gone, we have our sweet girl home with us and tomorrow we get back into the swing of things. The past week has been fun and hectic. Hope brings lots of joy to us all but allows for very little sleep. The poor little angel seems to have a touch of colic.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2SZT0qhsA601KkEqTUIoc1d0Hm-vdEvwa1XWC-xY2TNEMoex9cLtmlIhqwA1l-xHljVsN_3BF9k3f0HRoinxRZgFtGWyesfmiwaPJtI5YOiuVgsnUXAyoSGgsfFZN6rcXs256rMiLhI/s320/Photo+43.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412324296631138690" /></div><div><br /></div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-2496767860749924242009-12-03T11:39:00.000-08:002009-12-03T11:44:56.472-08:00Our Girl!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXywGvoWMXygdLYB_VsX93ZDWwutr8yyg6HIsSWcVG7bx8HEdsxSirSppVWR2ULO93k8N9wRlqhqlLgVkDEI8C4XjjHmaRgOFwNo-viSszB3h2Nl3gAry9_FFRToVMYGx_NuTGN2rPgFI/s1600-h/IMG_1663.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXywGvoWMXygdLYB_VsX93ZDWwutr8yyg6HIsSWcVG7bx8HEdsxSirSppVWR2ULO93k8N9wRlqhqlLgVkDEI8C4XjjHmaRgOFwNo-viSszB3h2Nl3gAry9_FFRToVMYGx_NuTGN2rPgFI/s320/IMG_1663.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411098147761944242" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope Elizabeth made her grand appearance on Monday at 9:57 a.m.</div><div style="text-align: center;">She was 8 lb. 6 oz. and 20 1/4 inches.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We are so excited to finally have her here. Her brothers and sister adore her.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We can't wait to see what God has in store for her life. She is every bit his plan and we are thrilled to get to be part of it!</div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-14266733560262108702009-09-22T07:13:00.000-07:002009-09-22T08:39:35.079-07:00Some Highlights from September<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKp34P0xiIMedn-dYHZ93sgQ24yAdsLiho4bcV8US35Vq511Pyx1EVamPoA4KELW_cePfmYVSUb6MyZODwOINWtoKkUgpEhCo7Bpo2e61aDxO68Gh6BzT7XOqJEpweHjQteNJMgzgdhQ/s1600-h/IMG_1294.JPG"></a>Brian had to make a quick trip to OKC last weekend so we made it into a day trip for the whole family. Nana went along and we introduced her and the boys to Ethiopian food at the Queen of Sheba Restaurant. Shurabe was so excited to have Injera (Ethiopian bread they use as a utensil).<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 321px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384311614566776514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXeiAUeKi6f2b2DYhprrPNtIl91QpM5qPF46ZSqQ4bkGvWDytZ392RBUihiGpE1PT2FrB3vEwCIeX0VY9pTYRVyNtZED-2jWP-xWrR_c1CkQSGC2PLx2iOFdGN9lZErjKP8cWSQBC87JI/s320/IMG_1296.JPG" />Nana wasn't quite as skilled with the Injera as Shurabe. The boys were troopers and tried all of the food that wasn't too spicy. We are all looking forward to going back for Shurabe's birthday in October. Anyone who wants to join us is welcome to come!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmz4A8FGNPXGSJtBUvbxnRhr4iVf_8sjmbl6BNYpU1G3hsCW7ydfg4rOpa6Pk8aF18Hy23iZ50J-PrecOgXzcD6YXMjPa22VIEHCTYqvvihGkbJRzpGbUluyw08hxq1LwesWZgtgbwt0/s1600-h/IMG_1297.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384309692643130290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmz4A8FGNPXGSJtBUvbxnRhr4iVf_8sjmbl6BNYpU1G3hsCW7ydfg4rOpa6Pk8aF18Hy23iZ50J-PrecOgXzcD6YXMjPa22VIEHCTYqvvihGkbJRzpGbUluyw08hxq1LwesWZgtgbwt0/s320/IMG_1297.JPG" /></a><br />We had a beautiful Summer rain shower a couple of days ago. The kids were all playing outside while Brian mowed the lawn. Suddenly, it started raining so Levi and Shurabe decided to shed their shirts and take advantage of the water. Shurabe ran around singing and being silly. Levi spent most of the time chasing Shurabe and sticking his wet bottom as the rest of us. He's such a BOY!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEoIk0jZhH9gowiqkKDVhYDEl9qp2QuuxLE2D7GgnXXGWpkOFq3i4mCWpDgfW_JZMaLuKVPWNAOLc3cRTBEjiYjj8WefutMh1T-QiSEdE-QyR2GFRjTKxqR9mNa5lRSOcwfCo5zV0vxQ/s1600-h/IMG_1303.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384309689866486226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbEoIk0jZhH9gowiqkKDVhYDEl9qp2QuuxLE2D7GgnXXGWpkOFq3i4mCWpDgfW_JZMaLuKVPWNAOLc3cRTBEjiYjj8WefutMh1T-QiSEdE-QyR2GFRjTKxqR9mNa5lRSOcwfCo5zV0vxQ/s320/IMG_1303.JPG" /></a> Yesterday Shurabe got dressed in her finest dress-up attire in anticipation of a play date with her friend Nicole. Unfortunately, Nicole's whole family was sick so I just let her wear her outfit when we ran errands (however, I did make her change out of her play high-heeled shoes). She got lots of compliments at Super Wal-Mart!<br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqz_xx9j76AvoDp1heJd7CaRjs5M0o94IUcz-nfaWs4PIonCgqfi0rGGbXa4YHFPeBI1yVDHrCojyyoorne7_MAlfjfoA4kUiYuC_nerr5Tn8Q6sJqFcmbb3Wt43lP-znNk60njZZkHE/s1600-h/IMG_1351.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384309679706689762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqz_xx9j76AvoDp1heJd7CaRjs5M0o94IUcz-nfaWs4PIonCgqfi0rGGbXa4YHFPeBI1yVDHrCojyyoorne7_MAlfjfoA4kUiYuC_nerr5Tn8Q6sJqFcmbb3Wt43lP-znNk60njZZkHE/s320/IMG_1351.JPG" /></a>This past Sunday our church family threw a shower to help us welcome baby Hope and Shurabe to our family. It was absolutely lovely. Lots of our friends and church family were there to help us celebrate our growing family. We opened a mountain of gifts in a record amount of time thanks to Shurabe's "Tazmanian Devil Technique".<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kZfzV9Oh7UdZZyCKTcrLdf1yRQ4flxcIAZ_OJHbPh9YH2_I4z3v8uLjOM2cp_bEbQ2pHV02Zge8NYmR5sHR_jtqjUlvOzX4Vnl42qbu9BHuF2cpApo1ZnH8MQKqq5eTdS1XXZ922esw/s1600-h/IMG_1304.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384309670602906450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0kZfzV9Oh7UdZZyCKTcrLdf1yRQ4flxcIAZ_OJHbPh9YH2_I4z3v8uLjOM2cp_bEbQ2pHV02Zge8NYmR5sHR_jtqjUlvOzX4Vnl42qbu9BHuF2cpApo1ZnH8MQKqq5eTdS1XXZ922esw/s320/IMG_1304.JPG" /></a>(The adorable diaper cake was made my Brian's cousin Rachel Barnett)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-21019979915416076562009-08-25T15:24:00.000-07:002009-08-25T16:02:18.329-07:00Shurabe's New "Do"<div>Last night Brian and I had the priviledge of taking our good friend Raynisha to the John Legend concert. It was so much fun. While there I got an education on African American hair. This morning Raynisha came by the house and braided Shurabe's hair for her. It looks so cute and Shurabe loves it. It was so much fun to see her reaction when she saw herself in the mirror!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374040318268700194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeVb-Zhw-cg9ci_4Y5izCBfKtbs4C4tFQQ7nFaMaWPz06MojYGU7L1Kx7Y0GcIHNfUpaOQTPFQw_n_r7giss1FEU4egFAEs8Gro6VW5MoLKj3j6iskpVCjCTGLnDU9otANIDtjtDrZrs/s320/IMG_1277.JPG" /></div><br /><p align="center">She looks a little apprehensive in this picture because she hasn't seen the finished result.</p>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-87186916429587797402009-08-20T13:53:00.000-07:002009-08-20T14:05:11.762-07:00Back to School<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"> Today was the boys' first day of school. Kindergarten for Levi and 2nd grade for Cole! It was dreadfully stormy this morning so we all got to trek into the school through a downpour of rain trudging through a river that used to be a sidewalk. The boys looked at it as an adventure (which I think helped distract Levi from his nerves about making friends)!<br /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">We have pictures of the morning but they are on my parents' camera because we couldn't find ours this morning (I can't seem to get them to download onto our computer). Here are the "after" pictures. Both boys had a great day. When I asked Cole how 2nd grade was different he said, "I think we have more bathroom breaks." Levi made 2 friends but can't remember their names - typical 5 yr. old. We stopped for a 1/2 price Smoothie at Sonic for an after-school-snack, then headed home for some vegging out on the couches and watching MIGHTY DUCKS. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372153762628154322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7X2J_u6EuVetS8kJ0LVIPYlLnKB0dPOt22iaBjuQdKWvXWOLHRSVpVDxbAqgL3jyGR4suXauRAS2TYNOZ4eAaRCoqmzM08HT7kqz_EUD_Wga-NLDUppAtfwY7VavyifXIMydAP57F10/s320/IMG_1269.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372153756661743634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YtjpAFVzkIGQF8Oggd3NPqRAKiEjA7eVSp0RWAGYLE9jSxG8sSHGS_sEXOHHMhMLzulCemdvbXMu1nALQ1YY60oUQCTQ3Y017xPeExP5sN5WcvtJBTNyk5jxA3ry_pf5NIf-95UHZe4/s320/IMG_1267.JPG" /></div><p align="center">Levi is behind the boy in the blue shirt.</p>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-42415105754798632932009-07-29T14:35:00.000-07:002009-07-29T14:54:02.398-07:00Showers of blessingsW have some of the most amazing friends and church family! On Sunday, my Adult Bible Class passed around a sign-up sheet for people to provide meals for our family. We are covered for the next TWO WEEKS! I am in awe of their thoughtfulness. It has been so nice to spend the day focusing on the kids without worrying about grocery shopping or what to make for dinner. (Added bonus - a break from the same 6 recipes I make all of the time.) On top of that, the boys have had special outings everyday with friends so they can have a break from their sister as she adjusts to life in a family.<br /><br />We are making progress everyday as far as communication and tantrums go. We are learning some of her words and she is learning some of ours. She uses hand gestures (not really sign language) to show us what she wants sometimes and we do a lot of pointing.<br /><br />This morning Shurabe and I went to Super Wal-mart to do some school supply shopping. I wasn't sure how she would do in a big place like that but she did amazingly. She just sat wide-eyed in the cart and took it all in. One of the Wal-mart stockers approached me and said she looked Ethiopian. I told him that we just got back from going to get her from Addis Ababa. He said that was his country and asked her name and what Agency we used to adopt her. I was shocked that he could tell she was Ethiopian. It was a really cool thing!anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-61499998994369236232009-07-21T04:33:00.001-07:002009-07-21T05:07:57.952-07:00Adjusting to the new lifeWe are home from Ethiopia with our new daughter. The trip was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">truly</span> a journey- physically and emotionally. I've never been so "spent" in all my life. There were lots of laughs and lots of tears (some hers and lots of them mine). It's really nice to be home where there is fresh air, safe food to eat and ice in my drinks.<br /><br />I wouldn't trade the chance to see <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Shurabe's</span> birth country for anything. The people were very kind and gracious. Every where I turned there was someone trying to speak to and comfort <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Shurabe</span>. The scenery is breath-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">takingly</span> beautiful in contrast to the hungry and handicapped beggars roaming the streets.<br /><br />We are blessed to have Brian home this week as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Shurabe</span> learns what home and family means. She is fond of her brothers and they are even more fond of her. She is becoming more and more interested in Daddy as she sees how fun he is. But Mommy is at the top of her list (both flattering and draining). I only wish I knew what was going through her head when she gets quiet and contemplative or begins to scream at the smallest disappointment. I try to be understanding and comforting and at the same time discern when she is being manipulative to gain control of all those around her. Three is a rough age even without the grief, language barrier, and homesickness. We would really appreciate your prayers as we help her through this uncertain time of adjusting.<br /><br />This morning was especially hard. There was a horrendous thunderstorm that set off our security alarm at 3:30 a.m. Needless to say, we were all jolted awake with hearts racing. The thunder and lightning were relentless for about 30 minutes. I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">layed</span> down with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Shurabe</span> in our bed and hugged her tight. She fidgeted nervously for about an hour until it was clear she was finished sleeping for the night. She and I got up and watched a Praise Baby video in the dark living room. It calmed her for awhile until she began crying for her special care-giver from the Transition Home. She was clearly grieving the loss of her special friend/mother-figure. It was heart breaking to say the least. When she was done, she led me to the kitchen and pointed at the cabinet where we keep her favorite food, peanut butter crackers. She seems to be a comfort eater, a boredom eater, and an all-around BIG EATER. We'll work on that when there aren't so many other issues at hand!<br /><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">As I type this she is playing happily by herself. I'll leave you with some happy pictures of our first days at home together.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360880766506128802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6JtZVOjTEFHeSAvXcCo9Qkza_nROHBWrUyBtES0S2yT6_ewDrFJWhrZHc3_Hpw7gSxovTEgqT23YIL7syeRs_nQEcZ5m8WfZN1cxYNveac_bbtC4wuHz1PzjfT-O0xdmbC8dpb3JOTg/s320/IMG_1203.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360880759023499842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMZ6ZAXgLYHcx314qNTGSr0GSuXhLmkteHJXxDH0R2X3hVBBSs6P6JFV5YZeSt6ldTEWVMeKTRK_m24anckwI3pRfvP4WXVONz9baIlSfYNo1vm58LP3hqrEIyr2Gd2gDaaQXYTf2qOk/s320/IMG_1200.JPG" />She loves baths. I bet she dumped water on her head 30 times!</div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-67294750450329156162009-07-07T15:09:00.000-07:002009-07-07T15:19:28.717-07:00It's a GIRL!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355845285322133314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejPfDjP4aPgPcMxrL-u-xZ5OqtFlMpYdRuNUUISqyuww05BwzbH_57MOb66fSVuzk-l-I0olM47ISiyJltQYUhBX2Fdy1laUd-lLS3ZM76C-L8KH1JAszbgvhNmmtoLLVqwjOpxa0Kfg/s320/Baby+girl+001.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">Profile</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355845294862141458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4E-3LByd7p4OiM28mlGlbbSLt4tcI1reYQS2AMIzztx03ppN7zt8VKv3zwYMPco-SXIjEK6igTrQdBtZ4vARHrpYRJVRJjwcC1S1s8xpLltDHwnYI0Vrf5xif3iMdqyLwG4APjRcqa2M/s320/Baby+girl+007.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"> Peek-a-boo<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355845289699484210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8hJYhtmUWqN3gJLO5GqVdv5BpeA8epkZgS8M-F_VDtOj-5OkHmTApZyuHsnKYPxpf_uhCJ4zyre2vBOuS639McxtwbaJxqwZM-9UNP-17O4cmpX0ld9UrWWB3NiW4mZQ5W3x6ysQFkA/s320/Baby+girl+004.jpg" border="0" />Two tiny feet.</div><div align="center"><br /><div><div>We found out this afternoon that this sweet baby inside of me is a little girl. Brian is going to have two little princesses and I will no longer be outnumbered in this Testosterone-heavy household. I'm trying really hard to keep myself away from the sewing machine. It keeps calling to me saying, "Come sew tiny things with flowery fabric!" But I must ignore it and finish packing for our trip to go get our oldest daughter. </div><br /><div>Here is the PROOF.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355845282353819442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRaUNZet2VcOQBsQ3YMGWDwXl9RaFQZnR5DnHT9glZsWzMvlTWYAqE1_2hFae1-lTe32_CvQx6ulHZF8bZAXL7q0donJUjoZH9A4uXtUXFB5HcnGcsXT0DFjwIyK-vytIUhTnV89u97j8/s320/Baby+girl+002.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><br /></div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-29101174954050784052009-07-05T18:50:00.001-07:002009-07-05T18:58:54.429-07:00The home stretch...This adoption is feeling more and more real with each passing day. We leave for Ethiopia in just a few days and there is lots to do before our flight leaves. Our friends and family have all been so kind and generous. Thankfully, we have everything we need to start out life with Shurabe. I am really looking forward to the next couple of weeks. Just meeting our daughter is reason enough but we will also find out this week the gender of our baby. Brian is blessed to be able to take some paternity leave and so the whole family will be home to bond with Shurabe. Brian is such a great husband and dad that we all look forward to spending time at home with him. I'm really excited to see how Shurabe reacts to him. I have a feeling they will have a very special relationship. Hopefully next post I will have some photos.anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-64844146812325088172009-06-23T13:35:00.000-07:002009-06-23T13:38:09.798-07:00A family of 5!<div>We got the exciting call this morning. Shurabe Eden Jennings is officially our daughter. We will hopefully travel to get her on July 11th. "Ethiopia, here we come!" I am sure Brian will make a video when we have time but for now, here is on</div><div>e of my favorite pictures of her.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350624952934795794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmapeLlaaKnxgOQcrHDo3SjBn997mGHGlvSdY3uiAjYKgNE9fUj_9aUBzaCkQxQNIzJQ_KTc0Z-PmuQfxjLOz8W37cVETxGNdRyv8g50FP3NXkS-R8jfBdvqmy6NeK12jnQc6BG0nDbc/s320/May+Update+Photo+1+Surabe+Jennings.JPG" border="0" /></div>anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2056741535422534490.post-31342617799002507022009-06-13T16:43:00.000-07:002009-06-13T16:56:36.381-07:00Ultrasound ScheduledI had my 4 month Dr. appt. yesterday and baby and mommy are healthy. Last week I suffered from a lot of lower back pain. So many of my friends were so sweet and offered suggestions that helped with their maternity aches and pains. After two appointments with my favorite D.O. in the world, I am feeling 98% better. Just a little stiffness left over from a week of inactivity. We are a little nervous about the long flight to Ethiopia and any reoccuring back pain that might creep up. I plan on going to see my Dr. and getting my back adjusted a couple of days before we leave to make sure I am feeling as good as possible.<br /><br />Now for the good stuff! My ultrasound is scheduled for July 2nd. Only 2 1/2 weeks until we know the gender of this baby! I am so glad we will find out before we leave for Ethiopia. I think it will be good for me to be mentally prepared for a boy or a girl before we start the emotional transition process with Eden. (By the way, we have decided to use Eden as her middle name but for security reasons, we aren't using her Ethiopian name on the internet. As soon as we pass court, we'll post her name and pictures so all of our friends and family can start getting to know our new daughter.)<br /><br />One of my friends <a href="http://houseofmoss.blogspot.com/">Kelli</a> found out this week the gender of her baby. She took a poll on her blog to see what her friends and family predicted the gender would be. I thought it was a great idea so I am going to do the same. (After all, imitation is the highest form of flattery.) Join in the fun and leave me a comment to let me know your prediction!anxiously hopefulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14513009124502659570noreply@blogger.com6